Reaching 700 victories more difficult than Newman's Kokinda expected

Winning not coming easily in 41st season

If this were like any other of his 40 seasons, Cardinal Newman baseball coach Jack Kokinda would have already celebrated winning his 700th career game.

But this is no typical Crusaders season.

His team is struggling to earn victories and in uncommon territory at 2-15. Averaging 17 victories per season during his tenure, reaching 700 wins during the school's 50th year celebration seemed certain

With eight regular-season games remaining, Kokinda is stuck at five wins from a career plateau (695-515-6). Cardinal Newman lost 3-1 Friday against St. Andrew's.

While Kokinda, the winningest coach in Palm Beach County high school baseball history, is aware of the milestone, it's not his immediate concern.

"I've never been a numbers guy," he said. "If you coach long enough you will eventually get to it. Reaching 700 is not what's important."

What concerns Kokinda in his 41st season is his team's inability to produce runs. And despite the losing record, he remains positive the Crusaders can defend their District 13-3A title. Overall the team has won five consecutive district championships.

"When you struggle for runs, everything is impacted," Kokinda said. "The defense, especially must play without mistakes, but this is high school baseball and there is always mistakes."

Kokinda, 64, began his coaching career at Cardinal Newman during the 1969-70 school year, shortly after graduating from Butler University in 1969. His first victory came in his first game by defeating then Seacrest High (now Atlantic High).

Through the years, Kokinda has been recognized for his baseball achievements, being inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame and Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003.

Still with a career filled with success, Kokinda never thought this season would take the direction it has.

"When you stay in coaching as long as I have, you need keep a positive outlook," Kokinda said. "We aren't dead yet and hopefully we will right the ship."

Kokinda hasn't experience many losing seasons and will need to win out through regionals to prevent from having his first since finishing 9-21 in 2003.

Kokinda is likely to get his 700th victory whether it's this season or next.

"If it is still fun to go to the ballpark I plan on doing this again next year," he said. "But at my age it's year by year."